Vol. 17, No. 1, University of Judaism Newsletter, 1963

PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER, 1963
Radio-TV Headed For Outstanding
Second Year
The University of Judaism's pioneer-ing
Radio - TV Department, little more
than a year ago existing only in the
creative imagination of Director of De-velopment,
Saul Rubin, begins its second
year of outstanding public service pro-gramming
this Fall. Young and vital,
the department has become an integral
part of the University's cultural activity
in the community. The quality of the
programs has reached such a high level
that some of the nation's top talent in
all walks of life take part in the shows.
Highlight of the coming year is the
University's second year of participation
in the INSIGHT series on KNXT tele-vision.
Some of the upcoming shows,
which will begin Sunday, Sept. 29 at
4:00 P.M. utilize the talents of such
prominent personalities as Dr. Abraham
Heschel, Abby Mann, Lome Greene,
Edward G. Robinson and Charlton Hes-ton.
Programs range from "Jazz and
Chassidism" to "Africa Israel Relations,"
"Bialik: Poet of a People," and a mem-orable
portrait of the late Max Helfman.
The programs cover a full range of new
and exciting material. INSIGHT is now
syndicated and Phoenix is the first of
many cities that will be airing the shows.
Under the leadership of Executive Pro-ducer,
Saul Rubin, and Producer Louis
Rudolph, the Radio-TV Department has
brought to the community such highly sig-nificant
and successful shows as ETHICS
(KNBC-TV), THE WAY OF FAITH
(KHJ-TV), THE YOUNG LOOK
(KHJ-TV), CHANUKAH: FESTIVAL
OF FREEDOM (NBC SPECIAL), MU-SIC
OF THE BIBLE (RGBS), THE
UNIVERSITY OF J U D A I SM PRE-SENTS
(KGBS), BIBLICAL INSIGHTS
(KRLA), INTF.RFATTH DIALOGUES
(KHJ), SPIRIT OF TODAY (KRLA).
Calendar of Events
September 22
Opening of Fall Semester —College of
Judaica, Hebrew Teachers College, Grad-uate
School
September 22
High Holiday TV Show —"Days of Awe,"
KNBC TV, 12=30 P.M.
September 28
Yom Kippur Day
September 29
Insight TV Series returns to air, KNXT
TV, 4 P.M.
September 30-Oct. 1
Registration—School of Fine Arts, Uni-versity
Institute
October 3 and 4
Succoth
October 7
Opening of Fall Semester — School of
Fine Arts, University Institute
October 8
Congregational Cabinet Meeting
October 22
Congregational Advance Gifts Dinner in
Honor of Dr. David Lieber
October 27
Patrons Society Reception for Dr. David
Lieber at the home of Mr. Isadore
Familian
November 10
"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,"
Benefit
November 14
Joint Boards Meet
Ben Lax — Campaign Chairman
We extend to all our
friends
A Happy New Year
nror\
Ben J. Lax, out-s
t a n d i n g Jewish
leader who has df
voted himself tu
the furtherance of
Jewish culture in the
Southwest commun-ity,
has been named
University Campaign
Chairman by Julius
Fligelman, Chairman
Board of Overseers.
In accepting the appointment, Mr.
Lax, a member of the Board of Overseers
for more than 12 years, said, "I feel con-fident
when the full story of the Univer-sity
and its importance to West Coast
Jewry and non-Jewish life is told, full
support of the campaign goal of one-half
million dollars will be given."
Congregational Cabinet Meets
The Congregational Cabinet, Irving
Dubin, Chairman, consisting of represen-tatives
from more than seventy support-ing
Congregations, in addition to the
President and Rabbi of each, have held
the first of four proposed meetings for
the coming year.
The most potent force of workers and
ambassadors of good will for the Uni-versity
of Judaism, the Cabinet is com
posed of individuals of high persona
standing and prestige in the Synagogue
and community who are dedicated to the
cause of higher Jewish learning.
Through understanding of the Uni-versity's
needs and devotion to its cause,
members of the Cabinet bring the mes-sage
of the University to the Congrega-tions
and to the community and make
possible the Annual Campaign, the Foun-ders
Day Dinner (a function in the
Synagogue for the benefit of the Univer-sity),
and the introduction of the
National Enrollment Plan (N.E.P.)
THE U N I V E R S I T Y OF J U D A I S M
6525 Sunset Boulevard • Hollywood 28, Calif.
Administrative Officers
DR. Louis FINKELSTEIN..-.Chancellor, J.T.S.A.
DR. SIMON GREENBERG Vice-Chancellor,
J.T.S.A.
DR. DAVID LIEBER President
DR. SAMUEL DININ Vice-President;
Chairman of Faculties
DR. MAX VORSPAN Executive Dean;
Director, School of Fine Arts
SAUL RUBIN Director of Development
Board of Overseers — Officers
JULIUS FLIGELMAN Chairman of the Board
MATTHEW HERMAN Executive Vice-Chairman
I.rwts E. PENNISH Chm., Board of Governors
NATHAN KREMS Chm., Executive Committee
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. POSTAGE
P A I D
Los Angeles, Calif.
Permit No. 14759
UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM
west coast branch of the Jewish theological seminary of america.
6525 SUNSET BOULEVARD • LOS ANGELES 28. CALIF. • HOLLYWOOD 3 1161
VOLUME XVII SEPTEMBER, 1963 NUMBER 1
University Has New President
Dr. Louis Finkelstein, Chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (left), Doctor Simon
Greenberg, Vice-chancellor of the Seminary and former President of the University of Judaism (center),
and Doctor David Leo Lieber, newly designated President of the University (right) confer in Dr. Finkel-stein's
office in New York on the future of the California school.
John Factor Presents
Gift to University
Mr. John Factor,
prominent philan-thropist
of the Los
Angeles Community,
has made possible
the realization of one
of the original goals
of the University to
provide a residence
at t h e University
fully equipped to
administer to the needs of all students, by
means of a $50,000 gift.
The funds will be used to construct
living facilities for 40 out-of-town stu-dents
in three floors of the tower, a re-habilitation
of the lower level, including
the pool area, and the establishment of a
cafeteria on the first floor.
Mr. Julius Fligelman, Chairjnan of the
( ioard of Overseers, stated in commenting
on the donation, "Mr. Factor's gift is a
milestone in the history of Jewish educa-tion
on the West Coast. Future Univer-sity
students will long remember his gen-erosity."
Chancellor Sends Greetings
The Seminary is
fortunate indeed to
have been able to
designate Rabbi
David Lieber as the
Jl, new president of its
1 University of Juda-
, «^| ism, to succeed Dr.
• Simon Greenberg.
• Although young in
jIM^" years, Rabbi Lieber
has already achieved a reputation as a
Bible scholar, an educator, and an ad-ministrator.
I have full confidence that
his influence for good will be felt in
ever-widening circles, extending from the
Jewish to the general community. One
may only wish for him that in his new
position he will continue to grow from
strength to strength.
The inauguration of its first resident
president is an important step in the re-markable
development of The University
of Judaism. Established in 1948 as the
West Coast branch of The Jewish The-ological
Seminary of America, the Uni-versity
has been guided by interested and
devoted members of the faculty of the
Portrait of a President
Dr. David Leo Lieber has taken office
as the second president of the University
of Judaism.
A modest and unassuming man, Edu-cator,
Theologian, Author and Lecturer,
Dr. Lieber has devoted his life to the
pursuit of knowledge and the education
of others.
Born in Poland and brought to Amer-ica
by his parents at the age of two, Dr.
Lieber's earliest memories are of his youth
on New York's East Side. The intervening
years of struggle that resulted in his
Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa
graduation from CCNY at the age of 19,
indicate the tirelessness and brilliance
with which he pursued his educational
goals. At age 23, he was ordained Rabbi
by the J.T.S.A. where he also received his
Doctor of Hebrew Literature degree. Dur-ing
that period, he also received his Mas-ters
degree from Columbia University and
further pursued his study of Philosophy
at that school.
He was subsequently called to Sinai
Temple, here in Los Angeles, in 1950, to
serve with Dr. Jacob Kohn. Prior to his
appointment as President of the Univer-sity,
he had acted as Dean of Students
here for seven years. At age 38 he is one
of the nation's youngest University Presi-dents.
Dr. Lieber's background of academic
achievement and community service place
him foremost in the field of contempor-ary
education.
parent institution. From the day when
Professor Mordecai M. Kaplan called for
the establishment of a University of
Judaism, through the years when Dr.
Greenberg, Vice-Chancellor of the Semi-nary,
literally commuted between New
York and California, sharing his wisdom
with both the New York institution and
its Los Angeles daughter, the University
of Judaism has been most fortunate in its
leadership. Rabbi Lieber is a young man
of great promise. One can make no better
wish for him than that this new challenge
will inspire him to achievements com-mensurate
with those of his distinguished
predecessors.
DR. Louis FINKELSTEIN
PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER, 1963 SEPTEMBER, 1963
President's Message
The publication of
this Bulletin marks
the beginning of the
University's 17th
school year. One
cannot help but be
grateful for the lab-ors
of the dedicated
men a n d women
who made the estab-lishment
of the Uni-versity
and its growth possible.
It was, of course, a labor of love.
More than that, it was an expression of
faith in the supreme value of Jewish
learning for the creative survival of
Jewish life, and of the desire to imple-ment
it on the Pacific Coast.
There were many trying years, when
even the faithful couldn't help but
wonder whether this was the right place
or the right time. Fortunately, they did
not permit themselves to be discouraged.
Under the inspired leadership of Dr.
Greenberg and the wise guidance of Dr.
Dinin - - two of the great Jewish edu-cators
of our generation - - a group of
devoted laymen arose to accept the re-sponsibility
for the University and its
future.
Mindful of the fact that its parent
institution, the Jewish Theological Sem-inary
of America, was the greatest school
of Jewish learning in the world, they
aimed to make the University its fitting
representative on the West Coast. Their
accomplishments are now part of the
history of the American Jewish commun-ity.
With single minded devotion, they
established a graduate school and created
the nucleus of an outstanding faculty for
it; they built a flourishing Hebrew Teach-ers
College and College of Judaica; they
assembled more than 40,000 volumes to
serve as a basis for a research library;
they founded a University Institute for
Adult Studies, which became one of the
largest schools of its kind in the country.
Most recently, a School of Fine Arts was
opened, reflecting the University's broad
concern for every form of creative
Jewish expression, and through radio and
TV programs of the Warren Institute of
Ethics, the message of Judaism was
brought into many hundreds of thou-sands
of homes.
The foundations of the great center
for Jewish learning and culture envis-aged
by its founders have been laid. We
are all now engaged in rearing the edifice
— a school with a great faculty, a fine
library, and adequate building facilities.
Course offerings have been increased,
additional faculty members engaged, and
a development program established.
There is still much to be done to create
this center for the burgeoning communi-
Former President
Welcomes Successor
It is with joyful
and prayerful heart
that I extend sincere
congratulations to
the University of
Judaism and to Dr.
David Lieber upon
his assumption of
the office of Presi-dent
of the Univer-sity.
I rejoice because I know that Dr. Lie-ber's
scholarship, character, devotion,
ability and understanding will cast lustre
upon the University and that he will
guide it with steady hand and vision to
even loftier heights of achievement.
In the various tasks he was called upon
to perform since his graduation from the
Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theo-logical
Seminary, as a Chaplain with the
armed forces of our country, as Rabbi in
a congregation, as a director of a Hillel
Foundation, as professor of Bible at the
University of Judaism and Dean of Stu-dents
of its Teachers' College, Dr. Lie-ber's
great learning, his sympathetic
understanding of his fellow men, his
clarity of thought, his courage, energy,
and selflessness won for him the admira-tion
and affection of his colleagues, his
congregants, and his students.
And now at a comparatively young
age he accepted the challenging call to
lead a young institution of higher Jewish
learning which is to serve the spiritual
needs of a Jewish community which
though in itself is comparatively young
is undoubtedly destined to be among the
largest and most significant communi-ties
of Jewish history.
My heart therefore overflows with
prayer that the Almighty may bless him
with unflagging vigor of body, mind,
and spirit and with the unfailing coop-eration
of his colleagues and of the lay
leaders of the community so that to-gether
they may in peace and victory till
the vineyard of the Lord.
May the University of Judaism under
his guidance fulfill its promise to be a
center of light and learning, a blessing
to the Jewish community and to man-kind.
DR. SIMON GREENBERG
ties of the West Coast. It is within our
power to do so. The need is great, the
resources are present, and the manpower
is available. With G-d's help, let us
work together to build a great school
which will be a source of rich satisfaction
to us, of pride to our children, and of
Judaism and its
Ethical Imperative
by JULIUS FLIGELMAN (
There are differ-ences
of opinion re-garding
the nature
and d e f i n i t i o n of
Judaism. Some de-fine
it in religious
, \ terms, some regard
M ^An^W '*• m civilizational
Bk » H^^ terms, and still
A W others consider it
•• m, ^^^H along secular con-ceptions.
Regardless of definition, how-ever,
it seems to me that all Jews agree
with the following two propositions:
1) Central to Judaism is its ethical core.
Justice, freedom, equality are of its
essence and not optional attributes.
2) Judaism demands concern by Jews
for the welfare of the total commu-nity.
American Jews are therefore
expected by their historical tradition
to be vitally involved in the spiritual
welfare of their country.
It is therefore logical that among the
schools and departments of the Univer-sity
of Judaism there should be one that
concentrates on the ethical imperatives
of Judaism and their implementation into
the fabric of American life.
To this end we established in 1961
the Earl Warren Institute of Ethics and
Human Relations. Its function is to:
Conduct such study, research and teach-ing
in our historical tradition as will cast
light on its valid ethical insights and
conceptions.
Help sensitize our community to the
vital importance of the ethical compon-ent
in all decision making.
Only too often is the ethical factor
ignored or dismissed as irrelevant. We
are living in times when the guideposts
and the incentives for the right life are
vague and obscure. It is our responsibility
as a Jewish institution to help repaint and
make sharply visible the guideposts that
have so long served our people and to
help set these guideposts along the roads
that America travels.
If we can truly implement these far-reaching
objectives, the University of
Judaism will prove to be a real force
for good in our community.
blessing to the entire community.
L "Shanah Tovah Tikatevu" . . . Av
healthy and joyous year to you and your
loved ones.
DAVID LEO LIEBER,
President
University Enters 17th Year
Record Enrollment
For University
A record enrollment is expected in
all the Schools of the University of Juda-ism
as the 1963-64 Academic Year opens.
Graduate School
Fifteen courses are being offered in
the morning and afternoon sessions of
the Graduate School. University Profes-sor
Arnold Band, returning from a year
of study in Israel, will offer a course in
Hebrew Literature, Mr. Dan Almagor,
newly appointed instructor in the Hebrew
Teachers College and Professor David
Winston, returning after a summer of
archeological excavation in Israel, will of-fer
a course in Halacha as reflected in
Hellenistic Literature and a course in
Greek.
<
"Betiveen classes at The University"
University Institute
The University Institute, the school of
adult learning, will offer 24 courses
this year at the Central branch and 19
courses at various branches throughout
the Los Angeles area.
Courses begin at the Central Branch on
October 7 and at the branches, October
28. The University Institute for Jewish
Studies will have branches at the B'nai
Israel Conservative Congregation, Valley
( ieth Sholom, Rodef Shalom, Beverly
Hills Chapter of Hadassah, Los Angeles
Chapter of Hadassah, Labor Zionist Or-ganization
of America, Workmen's Circle
of Southern California, Keren Home
Study Group.
Fine Arts School
Expands Curriculum
The fledgling School of Fine Arts at
the University continues to grow at a
gratifying rate, adding a number of
world renowned artists to its faculty for
the coming year.
The faculty of the school, distin-guished
artists, composers and teachers
has, under the dynamic direction of Dr.
Max Vorspan, transformed the dream
of the first West Coast Fine Arts School
under Jewish auspices into a reality in
less than a year.
Joining the Music staff will be world
famous composer, Dr. Roy Harris, Pro-fessor
of Music at UCLA, who will teach
a course on Hebraic motives in music.
Dr. Hal J. Bargelt of LACC, renowned
speech authority, joins the Drama staff.
A Folk Dance Center, headed by the
noted choreographer and teacher of
ethnic Israeli and Jewish dance, Dani
Dassa, has been established, as well as
the Singspiel Theatre and Opera Work-shop
under the direction of eminent
coach, conductor and composer Isaac Van
Grove.
Israeli composer and performing artist,
Bonia Shur, will instruct students on
Songs of Israel.
The Humanities curriculum will
augmented by Rabbi William Kramer's
History of Jewish Art.
Hebrew Teachers College
And College of Judaica
More than 200 students are expected
to enroll for the 37 courses offered by
the College of Judaica and Hebrew
Teachers College. Rabbi Ben Zion Berg-man,
newly appointed Dean of Students,
will be teaching courses in Religion,
Bible, and Rabbinic Literature, and Mr.
Dan Almagor will teach Hebrew litera-ture
and Hebrew grammar. Among the
new additions to the faculty are:
Dr. Emil Jacoby, Education Director
of the Valley Jewish Community Center,
will teach a course on the Founda-tions
of Jewish Religious Education; Mr.
Eliezer Slomovic, vice-principal of the
Los Angeles Hebrew High School, will
teach a course in First Prophets; Dr.
Moshe Bailis, supervisor in the Bureau of
Jewish Education will teach a course in
Methods for Jewish Religious Education.
Mrs. Ayola Reiss is the Registrar of the
University Institute and Director of the
Institute of Jewish Communal Service.
The sudden untimely death of
Max Helfman leaves all of us
greatly impoverished spiritually.
His was a rare creative spirit, a
mind seething with visions and
ideas, and a heart overflowing with
love for the beautiful. He was ex-traordinarily
gifted, not only as a
conductor and composer particu-larly
of Synagogue music, but as an
oral expounder of his aesthetic
theories and ethical convictions.
His all too brief association with
the University of Judaism as Dean
of its School of the Fine Arts
opened vistas that held infinite
promise for the future. May we
be enabled to tend the seeds so
lovingly planted, for that, above
all, was the memorial he would
have wanted. Our heartfelt sympa-thies
go to his wife, children, and
family. We join them in their
sense of profound grief and loss.
ew Approach to Learning
University Institute
The Fall semester at the University
will mark the beginning of a new ap-proach
to learning by the University
Institute of Jewish Studies.
The Institute announces the organiza-tion
of the Collegiate Department, a
dramatic departure in education, which
has been organized to meet the needs of
students who wish to study our Jewish
cultural heritage intensively and in depth.
In place of weekly one hour courses
in narrowly defined subjects, courses have
been grouped around several major areas,
each to be offered one evening for two
and one-half hours. Four major themes
will be studied: Comparative Religion,
the Literature and Wisdom of the Bible,
Mainstreams of Jewish Thought and the
History of Jewish Civilization.
Hebrew courses will also be intensi-fied
and taught in two weekly sessions
of two and a half hours to enable stu-dents
to attain mastery of the language
in a shorter time.
Registration for courses will be limited
and consultation with the registrar should
be arranged.
oss. ^^^^

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Transcript

PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER, 1963
Radio-TV Headed For Outstanding
Second Year
The University of Judaism's pioneer-ing
Radio - TV Department, little more
than a year ago existing only in the
creative imagination of Director of De-velopment,
Saul Rubin, begins its second
year of outstanding public service pro-gramming
this Fall. Young and vital,
the department has become an integral
part of the University's cultural activity
in the community. The quality of the
programs has reached such a high level
that some of the nation's top talent in
all walks of life take part in the shows.
Highlight of the coming year is the
University's second year of participation
in the INSIGHT series on KNXT tele-vision.
Some of the upcoming shows,
which will begin Sunday, Sept. 29 at
4:00 P.M. utilize the talents of such
prominent personalities as Dr. Abraham
Heschel, Abby Mann, Lome Greene,
Edward G. Robinson and Charlton Hes-ton.
Programs range from "Jazz and
Chassidism" to "Africa Israel Relations,"
"Bialik: Poet of a People," and a mem-orable
portrait of the late Max Helfman.
The programs cover a full range of new
and exciting material. INSIGHT is now
syndicated and Phoenix is the first of
many cities that will be airing the shows.
Under the leadership of Executive Pro-ducer,
Saul Rubin, and Producer Louis
Rudolph, the Radio-TV Department has
brought to the community such highly sig-nificant
and successful shows as ETHICS
(KNBC-TV), THE WAY OF FAITH
(KHJ-TV), THE YOUNG LOOK
(KHJ-TV), CHANUKAH: FESTIVAL
OF FREEDOM (NBC SPECIAL), MU-SIC
OF THE BIBLE (RGBS), THE
UNIVERSITY OF J U D A I SM PRE-SENTS
(KGBS), BIBLICAL INSIGHTS
(KRLA), INTF.RFATTH DIALOGUES
(KHJ), SPIRIT OF TODAY (KRLA).
Calendar of Events
September 22
Opening of Fall Semester —College of
Judaica, Hebrew Teachers College, Grad-uate
School
September 22
High Holiday TV Show —"Days of Awe,"
KNBC TV, 12=30 P.M.
September 28
Yom Kippur Day
September 29
Insight TV Series returns to air, KNXT
TV, 4 P.M.
September 30-Oct. 1
Registration—School of Fine Arts, Uni-versity
Institute
October 3 and 4
Succoth
October 7
Opening of Fall Semester — School of
Fine Arts, University Institute
October 8
Congregational Cabinet Meeting
October 22
Congregational Advance Gifts Dinner in
Honor of Dr. David Lieber
October 27
Patrons Society Reception for Dr. David
Lieber at the home of Mr. Isadore
Familian
November 10
"It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,"
Benefit
November 14
Joint Boards Meet
Ben Lax — Campaign Chairman
We extend to all our
friends
A Happy New Year
nror\
Ben J. Lax, out-s
t a n d i n g Jewish
leader who has df
voted himself tu
the furtherance of
Jewish culture in the
Southwest commun-ity,
has been named
University Campaign
Chairman by Julius
Fligelman, Chairman
Board of Overseers.
In accepting the appointment, Mr.
Lax, a member of the Board of Overseers
for more than 12 years, said, "I feel con-fident
when the full story of the Univer-sity
and its importance to West Coast
Jewry and non-Jewish life is told, full
support of the campaign goal of one-half
million dollars will be given."
Congregational Cabinet Meets
The Congregational Cabinet, Irving
Dubin, Chairman, consisting of represen-tatives
from more than seventy support-ing
Congregations, in addition to the
President and Rabbi of each, have held
the first of four proposed meetings for
the coming year.
The most potent force of workers and
ambassadors of good will for the Uni-versity
of Judaism, the Cabinet is com
posed of individuals of high persona
standing and prestige in the Synagogue
and community who are dedicated to the
cause of higher Jewish learning.
Through understanding of the Uni-versity's
needs and devotion to its cause,
members of the Cabinet bring the mes-sage
of the University to the Congrega-tions
and to the community and make
possible the Annual Campaign, the Foun-ders
Day Dinner (a function in the
Synagogue for the benefit of the Univer-sity),
and the introduction of the
National Enrollment Plan (N.E.P.)
THE U N I V E R S I T Y OF J U D A I S M
6525 Sunset Boulevard • Hollywood 28, Calif.
Administrative Officers
DR. Louis FINKELSTEIN..-.Chancellor, J.T.S.A.
DR. SIMON GREENBERG Vice-Chancellor,
J.T.S.A.
DR. DAVID LIEBER President
DR. SAMUEL DININ Vice-President;
Chairman of Faculties
DR. MAX VORSPAN Executive Dean;
Director, School of Fine Arts
SAUL RUBIN Director of Development
Board of Overseers — Officers
JULIUS FLIGELMAN Chairman of the Board
MATTHEW HERMAN Executive Vice-Chairman
I.rwts E. PENNISH Chm., Board of Governors
NATHAN KREMS Chm., Executive Committee
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. POSTAGE
P A I D
Los Angeles, Calif.
Permit No. 14759
UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM
west coast branch of the Jewish theological seminary of america.
6525 SUNSET BOULEVARD • LOS ANGELES 28. CALIF. • HOLLYWOOD 3 1161
VOLUME XVII SEPTEMBER, 1963 NUMBER 1
University Has New President
Dr. Louis Finkelstein, Chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (left), Doctor Simon
Greenberg, Vice-chancellor of the Seminary and former President of the University of Judaism (center),
and Doctor David Leo Lieber, newly designated President of the University (right) confer in Dr. Finkel-stein's
office in New York on the future of the California school.
John Factor Presents
Gift to University
Mr. John Factor,
prominent philan-thropist
of the Los
Angeles Community,
has made possible
the realization of one
of the original goals
of the University to
provide a residence
at t h e University
fully equipped to
administer to the needs of all students, by
means of a $50,000 gift.
The funds will be used to construct
living facilities for 40 out-of-town stu-dents
in three floors of the tower, a re-habilitation
of the lower level, including
the pool area, and the establishment of a
cafeteria on the first floor.
Mr. Julius Fligelman, Chairjnan of the
( ioard of Overseers, stated in commenting
on the donation, "Mr. Factor's gift is a
milestone in the history of Jewish educa-tion
on the West Coast. Future Univer-sity
students will long remember his gen-erosity."
Chancellor Sends Greetings
The Seminary is
fortunate indeed to
have been able to
designate Rabbi
David Lieber as the
Jl, new president of its
1 University of Juda-
, «^| ism, to succeed Dr.
• Simon Greenberg.
• Although young in
jIM^" years, Rabbi Lieber
has already achieved a reputation as a
Bible scholar, an educator, and an ad-ministrator.
I have full confidence that
his influence for good will be felt in
ever-widening circles, extending from the
Jewish to the general community. One
may only wish for him that in his new
position he will continue to grow from
strength to strength.
The inauguration of its first resident
president is an important step in the re-markable
development of The University
of Judaism. Established in 1948 as the
West Coast branch of The Jewish The-ological
Seminary of America, the Uni-versity
has been guided by interested and
devoted members of the faculty of the
Portrait of a President
Dr. David Leo Lieber has taken office
as the second president of the University
of Judaism.
A modest and unassuming man, Edu-cator,
Theologian, Author and Lecturer,
Dr. Lieber has devoted his life to the
pursuit of knowledge and the education
of others.
Born in Poland and brought to Amer-ica
by his parents at the age of two, Dr.
Lieber's earliest memories are of his youth
on New York's East Side. The intervening
years of struggle that resulted in his
Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa
graduation from CCNY at the age of 19,
indicate the tirelessness and brilliance
with which he pursued his educational
goals. At age 23, he was ordained Rabbi
by the J.T.S.A. where he also received his
Doctor of Hebrew Literature degree. Dur-ing
that period, he also received his Mas-ters
degree from Columbia University and
further pursued his study of Philosophy
at that school.
He was subsequently called to Sinai
Temple, here in Los Angeles, in 1950, to
serve with Dr. Jacob Kohn. Prior to his
appointment as President of the Univer-sity,
he had acted as Dean of Students
here for seven years. At age 38 he is one
of the nation's youngest University Presi-dents.
Dr. Lieber's background of academic
achievement and community service place
him foremost in the field of contempor-ary
education.
parent institution. From the day when
Professor Mordecai M. Kaplan called for
the establishment of a University of
Judaism, through the years when Dr.
Greenberg, Vice-Chancellor of the Semi-nary,
literally commuted between New
York and California, sharing his wisdom
with both the New York institution and
its Los Angeles daughter, the University
of Judaism has been most fortunate in its
leadership. Rabbi Lieber is a young man
of great promise. One can make no better
wish for him than that this new challenge
will inspire him to achievements com-mensurate
with those of his distinguished
predecessors.
DR. Louis FINKELSTEIN
PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER, 1963 SEPTEMBER, 1963
President's Message
The publication of
this Bulletin marks
the beginning of the
University's 17th
school year. One
cannot help but be
grateful for the lab-ors
of the dedicated
men a n d women
who made the estab-lishment
of the Uni-versity
and its growth possible.
It was, of course, a labor of love.
More than that, it was an expression of
faith in the supreme value of Jewish
learning for the creative survival of
Jewish life, and of the desire to imple-ment
it on the Pacific Coast.
There were many trying years, when
even the faithful couldn't help but
wonder whether this was the right place
or the right time. Fortunately, they did
not permit themselves to be discouraged.
Under the inspired leadership of Dr.
Greenberg and the wise guidance of Dr.
Dinin - - two of the great Jewish edu-cators
of our generation - - a group of
devoted laymen arose to accept the re-sponsibility
for the University and its
future.
Mindful of the fact that its parent
institution, the Jewish Theological Sem-inary
of America, was the greatest school
of Jewish learning in the world, they
aimed to make the University its fitting
representative on the West Coast. Their
accomplishments are now part of the
history of the American Jewish commun-ity.
With single minded devotion, they
established a graduate school and created
the nucleus of an outstanding faculty for
it; they built a flourishing Hebrew Teach-ers
College and College of Judaica; they
assembled more than 40,000 volumes to
serve as a basis for a research library;
they founded a University Institute for
Adult Studies, which became one of the
largest schools of its kind in the country.
Most recently, a School of Fine Arts was
opened, reflecting the University's broad
concern for every form of creative
Jewish expression, and through radio and
TV programs of the Warren Institute of
Ethics, the message of Judaism was
brought into many hundreds of thou-sands
of homes.
The foundations of the great center
for Jewish learning and culture envis-aged
by its founders have been laid. We
are all now engaged in rearing the edifice
— a school with a great faculty, a fine
library, and adequate building facilities.
Course offerings have been increased,
additional faculty members engaged, and
a development program established.
There is still much to be done to create
this center for the burgeoning communi-
Former President
Welcomes Successor
It is with joyful
and prayerful heart
that I extend sincere
congratulations to
the University of
Judaism and to Dr.
David Lieber upon
his assumption of
the office of Presi-dent
of the Univer-sity.
I rejoice because I know that Dr. Lie-ber's
scholarship, character, devotion,
ability and understanding will cast lustre
upon the University and that he will
guide it with steady hand and vision to
even loftier heights of achievement.
In the various tasks he was called upon
to perform since his graduation from the
Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theo-logical
Seminary, as a Chaplain with the
armed forces of our country, as Rabbi in
a congregation, as a director of a Hillel
Foundation, as professor of Bible at the
University of Judaism and Dean of Stu-dents
of its Teachers' College, Dr. Lie-ber's
great learning, his sympathetic
understanding of his fellow men, his
clarity of thought, his courage, energy,
and selflessness won for him the admira-tion
and affection of his colleagues, his
congregants, and his students.
And now at a comparatively young
age he accepted the challenging call to
lead a young institution of higher Jewish
learning which is to serve the spiritual
needs of a Jewish community which
though in itself is comparatively young
is undoubtedly destined to be among the
largest and most significant communi-ties
of Jewish history.
My heart therefore overflows with
prayer that the Almighty may bless him
with unflagging vigor of body, mind,
and spirit and with the unfailing coop-eration
of his colleagues and of the lay
leaders of the community so that to-gether
they may in peace and victory till
the vineyard of the Lord.
May the University of Judaism under
his guidance fulfill its promise to be a
center of light and learning, a blessing
to the Jewish community and to man-kind.
DR. SIMON GREENBERG
ties of the West Coast. It is within our
power to do so. The need is great, the
resources are present, and the manpower
is available. With G-d's help, let us
work together to build a great school
which will be a source of rich satisfaction
to us, of pride to our children, and of
Judaism and its
Ethical Imperative
by JULIUS FLIGELMAN (
There are differ-ences
of opinion re-garding
the nature
and d e f i n i t i o n of
Judaism. Some de-fine
it in religious
, \ terms, some regard
M ^An^W '*• m civilizational
Bk » H^^ terms, and still
A W others consider it
•• m, ^^^H along secular con-ceptions.
Regardless of definition, how-ever,
it seems to me that all Jews agree
with the following two propositions:
1) Central to Judaism is its ethical core.
Justice, freedom, equality are of its
essence and not optional attributes.
2) Judaism demands concern by Jews
for the welfare of the total commu-nity.
American Jews are therefore
expected by their historical tradition
to be vitally involved in the spiritual
welfare of their country.
It is therefore logical that among the
schools and departments of the Univer-sity
of Judaism there should be one that
concentrates on the ethical imperatives
of Judaism and their implementation into
the fabric of American life.
To this end we established in 1961
the Earl Warren Institute of Ethics and
Human Relations. Its function is to:
Conduct such study, research and teach-ing
in our historical tradition as will cast
light on its valid ethical insights and
conceptions.
Help sensitize our community to the
vital importance of the ethical compon-ent
in all decision making.
Only too often is the ethical factor
ignored or dismissed as irrelevant. We
are living in times when the guideposts
and the incentives for the right life are
vague and obscure. It is our responsibility
as a Jewish institution to help repaint and
make sharply visible the guideposts that
have so long served our people and to
help set these guideposts along the roads
that America travels.
If we can truly implement these far-reaching
objectives, the University of
Judaism will prove to be a real force
for good in our community.
blessing to the entire community.
L "Shanah Tovah Tikatevu" . . . Av
healthy and joyous year to you and your
loved ones.
DAVID LEO LIEBER,
President
University Enters 17th Year
Record Enrollment
For University
A record enrollment is expected in
all the Schools of the University of Juda-ism
as the 1963-64 Academic Year opens.
Graduate School
Fifteen courses are being offered in
the morning and afternoon sessions of
the Graduate School. University Profes-sor
Arnold Band, returning from a year
of study in Israel, will offer a course in
Hebrew Literature, Mr. Dan Almagor,
newly appointed instructor in the Hebrew
Teachers College and Professor David
Winston, returning after a summer of
archeological excavation in Israel, will of-fer
a course in Halacha as reflected in
Hellenistic Literature and a course in
Greek.
<
"Betiveen classes at The University"
University Institute
The University Institute, the school of
adult learning, will offer 24 courses
this year at the Central branch and 19
courses at various branches throughout
the Los Angeles area.
Courses begin at the Central Branch on
October 7 and at the branches, October
28. The University Institute for Jewish
Studies will have branches at the B'nai
Israel Conservative Congregation, Valley
( ieth Sholom, Rodef Shalom, Beverly
Hills Chapter of Hadassah, Los Angeles
Chapter of Hadassah, Labor Zionist Or-ganization
of America, Workmen's Circle
of Southern California, Keren Home
Study Group.
Fine Arts School
Expands Curriculum
The fledgling School of Fine Arts at
the University continues to grow at a
gratifying rate, adding a number of
world renowned artists to its faculty for
the coming year.
The faculty of the school, distin-guished
artists, composers and teachers
has, under the dynamic direction of Dr.
Max Vorspan, transformed the dream
of the first West Coast Fine Arts School
under Jewish auspices into a reality in
less than a year.
Joining the Music staff will be world
famous composer, Dr. Roy Harris, Pro-fessor
of Music at UCLA, who will teach
a course on Hebraic motives in music.
Dr. Hal J. Bargelt of LACC, renowned
speech authority, joins the Drama staff.
A Folk Dance Center, headed by the
noted choreographer and teacher of
ethnic Israeli and Jewish dance, Dani
Dassa, has been established, as well as
the Singspiel Theatre and Opera Work-shop
under the direction of eminent
coach, conductor and composer Isaac Van
Grove.
Israeli composer and performing artist,
Bonia Shur, will instruct students on
Songs of Israel.
The Humanities curriculum will
augmented by Rabbi William Kramer's
History of Jewish Art.
Hebrew Teachers College
And College of Judaica
More than 200 students are expected
to enroll for the 37 courses offered by
the College of Judaica and Hebrew
Teachers College. Rabbi Ben Zion Berg-man,
newly appointed Dean of Students,
will be teaching courses in Religion,
Bible, and Rabbinic Literature, and Mr.
Dan Almagor will teach Hebrew litera-ture
and Hebrew grammar. Among the
new additions to the faculty are:
Dr. Emil Jacoby, Education Director
of the Valley Jewish Community Center,
will teach a course on the Founda-tions
of Jewish Religious Education; Mr.
Eliezer Slomovic, vice-principal of the
Los Angeles Hebrew High School, will
teach a course in First Prophets; Dr.
Moshe Bailis, supervisor in the Bureau of
Jewish Education will teach a course in
Methods for Jewish Religious Education.
Mrs. Ayola Reiss is the Registrar of the
University Institute and Director of the
Institute of Jewish Communal Service.
The sudden untimely death of
Max Helfman leaves all of us
greatly impoverished spiritually.
His was a rare creative spirit, a
mind seething with visions and
ideas, and a heart overflowing with
love for the beautiful. He was ex-traordinarily
gifted, not only as a
conductor and composer particu-larly
of Synagogue music, but as an
oral expounder of his aesthetic
theories and ethical convictions.
His all too brief association with
the University of Judaism as Dean
of its School of the Fine Arts
opened vistas that held infinite
promise for the future. May we
be enabled to tend the seeds so
lovingly planted, for that, above
all, was the memorial he would
have wanted. Our heartfelt sympa-thies
go to his wife, children, and
family. We join them in their
sense of profound grief and loss.
ew Approach to Learning
University Institute
The Fall semester at the University
will mark the beginning of a new ap-proach
to learning by the University
Institute of Jewish Studies.
The Institute announces the organiza-tion
of the Collegiate Department, a
dramatic departure in education, which
has been organized to meet the needs of
students who wish to study our Jewish
cultural heritage intensively and in depth.
In place of weekly one hour courses
in narrowly defined subjects, courses have
been grouped around several major areas,
each to be offered one evening for two
and one-half hours. Four major themes
will be studied: Comparative Religion,
the Literature and Wisdom of the Bible,
Mainstreams of Jewish Thought and the
History of Jewish Civilization.
Hebrew courses will also be intensi-fied
and taught in two weekly sessions
of two and a half hours to enable stu-dents
to attain mastery of the language
in a shorter time.
Registration for courses will be limited
and consultation with the registrar should
be arranged.
oss. ^^^^